Oscar-Nominated Star Diane Ladd, Famed For Her Role in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Has Died at 89 Years Old.
The Oscar-nominated actress Diane Ladd, a Hollywood veteran left us 89 years old.
This actor, whose credits included National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, died at her home in Ojai, California. This announcement was announced through a message shared by her child, award-winning actress Laura Dern.
Her daughter, who starred with her mother in various films including Rambling Rose, described her as “my incredible hero as well as my special gift being my mom”, stating that she was at her bedside as she died.
“She was the greatest daughter, mother, grandmother, performer, creative as well as compassionate soul that felt like a dream come true,” she wrote. “We were blessed to have her. She is now with the angels.”
Beginnings and Breakthrough
Ladd’s early career saw small roles in TV shows including Perry Mason and the 1970s had her appearing next to actor Jack Nicholson in the classic Chinatown.
During that year, the year 1974, she appeared with actress Ellen Burstyn in Martin Scorsese’s celebrated dramatic comedy Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, a classic. Her role brought Ladd her first Oscar nomination as best supporting actress.
Subsequent Years
Throughout the 1980s, she starred in crime thriller Black Widow, a suspense story as well as humorous film National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation while also joining Alice, a television series derived from Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
During the next ten years, she received another supporting actress Academy Award nomination for her part in David Lynch’s Wild at Heart, a cult classic in which she portrayed the mom of her actual daughter Dern’s character. A year later she obtained an additional nod for her role in the film Rambling Rose which also starred Laura Dern.
“This was the film which Princess Diana picked as her top choice, and she invited Laura and I to the UK for a special screening and a party dedicated to us,” Ladd recalled of Rambling Rose. “And she sat between us, taking our hands, with tears, watching us perform.”
The nineties included parts in the comedy Cemetery Club, a film reuniting her with Ellen Burstyn, Primary Colors, a satirical film, starring John Travolta and Alexander Payne’s the movie Citizen Ruth in which she portrayed the mother of Dern once more. That period also brought her Emmy nominations for performances in Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, the show Grace Under Fire and Touched by an Angel, a drama.
Working with Laura Dern
She kept appearing with Laura Dern in comedy drama Daddy and Them, the David Lynch project Inland Empire and White’s comedy-drama series the program Enlightened. She also appeared with Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, Sir Anthony Hopkins in The World’s Fastest Indian, a film and Jennifer Lawrence in Joy, a biographical drama.
Her later TV roles featured Ray Donovan, a drama plus Young Sheldon.
Writing and Directing
She also authored and oversaw the comedy film Mrs Munck which starred her and ex-husband actor Bruce Dern. “Bruce is an excellent performer,” she said. “I was honored to direct him in a movie. Actually, I am the sole female in recorded history who directed her former husband. I make a joke: ‘I say ladies, should you desire retribution, direct your ex-husband.’ Though I’m just teasing.”
Personal Connections
Ladd was also a family member of playwright Tennessee Williams, whom she described as “a great influence on my life”.
During 2018, she received an incorrect diagnosis with lung disease and advised she only had half a year left yet she recovered completely when her daughter shifted her to a new hospital.
“Should you harness your suffering and prevent it from festering like a sore or something, instead use it to explore, to illuminate the way for you and those around, then you are triumphing,” Ladd expressed.